WHY DO AMERICANS STUDY WORLD HISTORY?

1. To Become Aware of Our Debt to Other Peoples. Americans follow a way of life founded upon the achievements of many peoples—past and present. Our democratic ideals originated with the ancient Greeks; our belief in a single, all-powerful God stemmed from the ancient Hebrews; our scientific knowledge grew out of the work of European pioneers; our ideas of government derived in part from the writings of European scholars. As the American writer Herman Melville said, "We are the heirs of all time and with all nations we divide our inheritance."

2. To Learn About Our Racial and Ethnic Backgrounds.

All Americans either have come themselves from other areas of the world or are the descendants of peoples who did. These individuals brought their own cultural heritages here. Many of these ideas, customs, and traditions have become part of our American way of life. We wish to know more about our ancestors—our racial and ethnic origins.

3. To Learn the Lessons of the Past.

Americans face problems similar to problems faced by past peoples: how to prevent war, how to raise living stan­dards, how to find equality for all. Although history may not repeat itself exactly, it provides enough similarity between past and present to enable us to learn from previous failures and successes. As the American philosopher George Santayana said, "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to relive it.

4. To Understand Our Interdependent World.

Americans do not live in isola­tion. We are dependent upon the rest of the world: economically for markets for our agricultural and manufactured goods and supplies of raw materials and politically for allies and military bases. Whatever happens anywhere in the world eventually affects us. For our government to participate successfully in world affairs, we Americans must attain insight into world problems.